1
as in wicked
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
the children had been so mischievous that we had to pay the babysitter extra and then clean up the mess
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in naughty
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
punished for their mischievous tricks on the neighbors
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
causing or capable of causing harm
mischievous gossip that ruined a good teacher's reputation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischievous
Four years later, the mischievous elf with pointy ears and a toothy grin made its leap to collectible toy thanks to China’s Pop Mart.
—
Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 7 Sep. 2025
The book features stories of photographers working with mischievous children, incorporating surprise visitors into pictures, and resorting to flashlights due to power cuts.
—Megan Williams, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
In his photo, own Wade is smiling, looking mostly innocent — if a bit mischievous.
—Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
Late Thursday, the company released in China the newest Labubu dolls, rabbit-ish toys that have pointed ears, jagged teeth and a mischievous grin.
—Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 7 Sep. 2025
The book features stories of photographers working with mischievous children, incorporating surprise visitors into pictures, and resorting to flashlights due to power cuts.
—Megan Williams, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
In his photo, own Wade is smiling, looking mostly innocent — if a bit mischievous.
—Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
Late Thursday, the company released in China the newest Labubu dolls, rabbit-ish toys that have pointed ears, jagged teeth and a mischievous grin.
—Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischievous
Adjective
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Both are wicked smart brainiacs on a tireless quest to do good in the world.—
Natasha Stoynoff,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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As the mystery unravels from multiple POVs, Alex’s kooky aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan) is revealed as the orchestrator of the tragedy — her fiery orange hair, nimble fingers, ghostly face and wicked crimson smile a memorable image that haunts the narrative.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Park Station is now open on the island a few blocks from the beach, serving suds, live music and kind-of-naughty comfort food.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
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Now, the hit show is getting a naughty makeover as a musical.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Demonizing or attempting to eliminate those who think differently – literally or symbolically – has become a dangerous norm, which is all too evident in the wake of the Kirk shooting.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
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During volatile periods, this becomes especially dangerous because customer loyalty becomes more fragile and harder to rebuild.—
Talbott Roche,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Mixing prints takes the trend to an even more playful approach, so have fun combining plaids with stripes and dots with florals.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Sep. 2025
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At the Collina Strada show, where founder and creative director Hillary Taymour often presents a playful but politically salient concept, models came out in twos.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But that’s actually a bad thing for a couple reasons.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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But worse than the poverty was the verbal and physical abuse from his father.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This vaporized the harmful metals in the red mud, and left behind a purified compound rich in aluminum.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Sep. 2025
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No one has gotten sick, but lead can be harmful to young children’s development.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Despite the austerity of her ambitions, there are moments of lush imagination that leaven the tone somewhat, like a dream sequence in which Teresa, furiously making bread in the middle of the night, is teased by an impish child.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
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With an impish grin, the young star carried the film with the confidence of actors four times his age, landing a Golden Globe nomination for his efforts.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Swift and Lively’s long friendship had been a distinct sub-plot in the IEWU legal battles, with tabloid fodder that the duo have fallen out over the controversy adverse Eras Tour performer getting tainted with the whole thing.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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The potential adverse consequences to entrepreneurs when well-being is disregarded are well-documented.—
Samantha Dewalt,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Video
'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine
'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.
Cite this Entry
“Mischievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischievous. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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